NFC North preview from si.com

Read here. Not way off, but off. They have Pack going 11-5, Bears 9-7, Detroit 8-8 and Minn 6-10. I agree with the Pack generally (and definitely that the Pack wins the division), and Detroit being around or possibly above .500. But I think the Bears and Vikes need to be flip-flopped. He makes a good point about MN’s beleaguered D-Line and a suspect overall defense, but they will still be tough at home and AP and McNabb will probably end up winning a game or two. (Though I will say a McNabb injury would derail the season quickly – and whatever McNabb’s health, they won’t make the playoffs.) The issues on the Bears line remain. Carimi was a good pick, but for some reason, it sounds like the Bears are moving Carimi to RT and J’Marcus Webb to LT. If I’m not mistaken, I believe both used to play the opposite sides – and I did read that both have had a difficult time adjusting. Doesn’t seem to make sense. I also think they will struggle without Kruetz as center. The Bears will be bad this year.

5 Responses to “NFC North preview from si.com”

It wouldn’t surprise me if Detroit is not just better, but actually very good. I mean 10-6 or 11-5. They have a very shaky secondary, but every other part of that team is on the cusp. I normally don’t trust the conventional wisdom on which team will be the “breakout” or “sleeper” team, but I am a believer in Det.

I think Chi and Min will be mediocre.

The sky’s the limit for GB, although as usual I am nervous about the OL.

Stafford healthy Lions will be 8-8 to 9-7. D line can blow OLs off the ball, esp if lst round pick becomes healthy. Ok with Pack at 11-5, Vikes at 6-10 at best. Bears were lucky last year but have improved with draft and free agents. 8-8 to 9-7. Agree with Ray M. that Packers OL esp left side may be a problem. Also inexperience at LB esp if Matthews not 100%.

SI is also picking the Falcons to go to the Super Bowl? My dad lives in Atlanta and says they’ll go 10-6, at best. I think the Packers will be 11-5. I think the Bears were over-rated last year. Their record was better than what they really were. They should have lost a couple games. Conversely, the Lions were a better team than their record indicated. They lost a few close ones, including that game against the Bears. The Vikings will scrape the bottom of the NFC North because their defense isn’t that good and McNabb will not be the savior they think he is.